The night's chill air bit at him. Hugging himself, Forest eyed his sister, Autumn, who was huddled in the corner opposite from him. Though she appeared asleep, he knew better. "Are you going to say anything?" The words were croaked, his throat dry. "Autumn?"

Finally, she stirred and sighed softly. "I just don't know what to say."

"Can you look at me?"

Slowly, Autumn turned to him but avoided his gaze. "You believe them, don't you?"

Forest studied her, his mind reeling. "Well, don't you?" Then he paused, shaking his head. "Can't you look at me?"

Finally, Autumn met his eyes, her own narrowed. "What reason do we have to believe them?" she asked carefully. "I mean, right now Bosley's the only person I trust."

"Autumn, I just can't forget their faces." His own twisted at the memory. "I could find no lie in them."

"Well, until she does something suspicious, I'm going to take it with a grain of salt." With this, her face softened. "And if those men weren't bluffing, they're probably mistaken." She then nodded to herself, shifting her back to him. "Night, little brother."

"So they were also mistaken about Marley, her sister?" Forest huffed. "I... I just wish I knew what to believe."

"Night, Forest."

"Too much is on your mind, Autumn." Sighing, the boy shuffled further into his corner, willing his eyes closed. "Neither of us is getting any sleep tonight."

"Night."

His eyes snapped open. "Who was that?" he asked slowly, eyeing the peep-hole, but no one was there. "Did I wake you?"

"It's Holly, and no, I was never asleep." Soft and delicate, there was a strain to her words. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Forest shuttered. Looking to Autumn, he found that she was just as alert. "Is something wrong?"

"Everything will be okay," she said finally, then gave a whisper of a chuckle. "Just... just know that I am proud of you all. Hale clearly raised you well."

Forest shivered again, her words echoing in his mind. "Holly, I'll see you tomo-"

"And I'm proud as well," came another voice. "It's been a privilege." This one was just as unstable as Holly's.

When it clicked, the boy eyed the empty peep-hole, struggling for composure. "Jade, I'll see you tomorrow as well."

After a faint exhale, there was shuffling from the cell over, before a figure appeared at the peep-hole.

"Jade?" As he stood, Forest stole a glance at his sister, who was watching from the corner of the cell. Then he turned back, her eyes trained on him. "Did something happen? You and Holly... are acting strange."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

After a moment, she looked to something - or maybe someone - out of view. "Holly's fine, and soon I'll be fine too."

Instead of replying, the boy studied her and recognized the pain in her eyes. "Here," he managed, drawing near, "take my hand."

Jade mustered a smile and met it halfway. Then, nodding, she gave a firm handshake. "Forest, I didn't see it at first, but you kids deserve to be here. No, not in this prison, but alive. So... I know that you'll be okay; all of you."

"Jade?"

Giving another smile, this one disappeared immediately. "Goodnight, kids. I'll see you later."

-

He opened his heavy eyes. Blinded by the daylight, he waited for them to adjust before looking around the cell. Leaned against the back corner, his sister was in the same position as before, but this time out cold. Despite himself, he decided to let her rest, as he knew that they'd be escorted outside soon for chores.

He sighed.

Holly's fine, and soon I'll be fine too. The words made him jolt, and his gaze wandered over to the peep-hole. Then, with a sharp breath, he stood and stepped forward. "Jade?"

There was no response.

"Jade?" He shifted on his feet, willing himself to peer through. And then he did.

Each was sprawled in the center of the cell, beside one another. Holly, still and sound, faced away from her, hugging herself. Meanwhile, Jade was on her back, stirring in her sleep. A sickly pale, her breaths came out quick and shallow.

Please, no.

"Forest?"

The boy stifled a yelp. "Yeah, Autumn?" He struggled for composure, his back to her.

"Is everything okay?" Her tone was low and eerie. Then, in a beat, she was at his side, trying to catch his gaze.

"No."

She cocked her head, forming a response.

"Remember how Jade... had saved me yesterday?"

Autumn let out a shaky breath as she nodded. "Yeah, what's this about?"

"I... I think she was bitten. Right now, she's looking terrible." When her face fell, his own crumbled. "Autumn?"

"That would explain last night." Then Autumn's face darkened, her gaze locking with his. "Holly was acting just as strange." Fresh tears teased at her eyes. "But if they were bitten, why wouldn't they tell us?"

"Maybe to keep us from worrying, but now it will just be that much harder." Forest looked to his feet, struggling to keep back his emotions; he couldn't break down. "But I don't think Holly was bitten, Autumn. She seems fine."

His sister gave another nod as she nudged him aside from the peep-hole. Then, with a glance his way, she pressed her face up close.

"She looks really bad," Forest said, blinking back tears.

She stayed there for a long moment, before slowly pulling back and meeting his gaze. "I'm sorry, Forest." She sniffled softly and drew him into a gentle hug. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

He dug his face into her shoulder as he clung back. "We... we need to say goodbye."

Autumn quickly wiped at her eyes when they parted. "I have something to say, but you're not going to like it."

Forest shivered at the tone, studying her. "You weren't bitten too, were you?" He paused, suddenly desperate. "Please, Autumn, I couldn't bear it!"

Autumn watched him, her mind reeling. "No, brother, it's not that." Then she shook her head, mustering for words. "But, I-I think we should consider it."

When it clicked, Forest staggered back, waving her off. "No, that's not happening. That's not how it's supposed to end."

"I'm sorry, Forest."

"Where's our happy ending?" he deadpanned, growing pale. "We cannot lose more people, Autumn. That's... that's just stupid."

"You think I want this?" Eyeing him down, her gaze ripped from his when she turned away. "Jade doesn't deserve this, I realize that."

"Why are you so resistant to the idea that Bosley is a traitor, but not this?" Forest let out a huff, ready to pace, but stopped himself. "What happened to you? The Autumn of last year would never consider this."

"Because Bosley's earned my trust, but this..." she trailed off. "Forest, if she was bitten, it's inevitable; that vaccine was destroyed and she will die. I'm sorry, but that's how it's always been."

"Forest," came a dry croak from the cell over. "I might as well make my death meaningful. I will do the sacrifice."